Wademan’s extra-time strike sinks Wilsden

Silsden set up an intriguing Keighley Cup encounter at home to holders Oxenhope (on December 15) after a thrilling victory over Wilsden.

The visitors, who are setting the pace at the top of Craven League Division One, went ahead on 11 minutes, former Cobbydalers winger Thomas Dibb scoring with a looping header over the stranded Christian-Paulat Brigg.

Silsden were denied a penalty when Scott Etherington upended Chris Wademan before Thomas Carberry had an effort blocked and hit the rebound over the bar. A miskick by Paulat-Brigg saw Ryan Gill double Wilsden’s lead midway through the half.

Both defences were struggling on the greasy surface as Silsden pulled one back when Wademan’s cross-cum-shot was flicked home by Chris Williams.

However, the Cobbydalers might have conceded another were it not for the sterling tracking back of James Dunn.

Both sides made substitutions at the break. Simon Mitchell came on for the visitors, while Josh McNulty replaced Liam Littlewood.

Within two minutes of the restart Athletic had scored a third. Breaking down the right, the ball was crossed to to Dibb, who laid the ball back to the unmarked Gill to convert.

If Silsden couldn’t defend in numbers, they were certainly compelling going forward. The pace of Wademan led to Silsden’s second, McNulty gleefully blasting home.

The substitute also notched the equaliser three minutes later after another swift break opened up the Wilsden defence.

Silsden were rampant now as Andy McNulty was just wide with a diving header and Jack Lancaster cleared Dunn’s powerful header off the line.

The fourth was not long coming as Williams flicked on a long ball and Wademan slipped it wide of Athletic’s overworked keeper. Silsden looked to have booked their passage into the next round on 76 minutes when Josh McNulty volleyed home the fifth.

However, Athletic dug deep as Dibb pulled a goal back before Gill broke through a stretched defence to notch the equaliser with four minutes left.

The game went into extra-time and the heavy pitch took its toll. Finally, Wademan snatched the winner five minutes from time.